> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alakazam.gg/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rate limits

> Throughput limits on the programmable worlds API.

Every request to the programmable worlds API is rate-limited **per API key** on
a rolling 60-second window. Limits protect shared capacity; they're separate
from your daily [quota](/pricing).

## Reading the headers

Every response carries your remaining budget for the current window:

```
X-RateLimit-Limit: 120
X-RateLimit-Remaining: 118
```

## Handling 429

When you exceed the limit the API returns `429` with a `Retry-After` header:

```json theme={null}
{ "detail": "rate limit exceeded — slow down" }
```

We recommend:

* Pause before retrying. If the response includes `Retry-After`, wait at least
  that long.
* Retry with **exponential backoff and jitter**.
* Reduce concurrency if you keep hitting the limit.

<Note>
  A request that returns `429` was not accepted — nothing was created or
  charged, so it's always safe to retry.
</Note>